Building Sale and Recent Controversy
In late fall 2006, the Society agreed to sell its headquarters building to the Hampton Synagogue, a former tenant. At that time, several members objected to the sale. As required by law, the sale was reviewed by the Charities Bureau of the New York Attorney General’s office which agreed to let the sale proceed.
By the summer of 2007, the Board of Trustees presented a proposal to the existing membership to eliminate the traditional membership format in favor of the Board's being named the members of the corporation. Vigorous debate and controversy ensued. When the ballots were tallied at a special meeting of the membership, held on 19 July 2007, the Board's position prevailed against the objection of several members present.
The Society's membership no longer has voting rights on the organization's plans and direction. Plans for the disbursement of the library and collections were announced in July, 2008. The Society's library of 75,000 published works, 30,000 manuscripts, 22,000 microforms, 1,300 periodicals and digital computer media were to be donated to the New York Public Library (NYPL). A new location for the Society's executive headquarters was purchased and renovated at 36 West 44th Street, in the prestigious Bar Building.
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